Suicide attack kills 16 soldiers in Pakistan: security, govt

Asia
By AFP | Jun 28, 2025

A police officer in the district said the blast caused the roofs of two houses to collapse, leaving six children injured. [AFP]

A suicide attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban killed 16 soldiers and wounded more than two dozen people, including civilians, local government officials and police officers told AFP.

"A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy," said a local government official in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

He said 16 soldiers were killed, raising a previous death toll of 13.

"The explosion also caused the roofs of two houses to collapse, injuring six children," a police officer posted in the district told AFP.

The attack was claimed by the suicide bomber wing of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur armed group, a faction of the Pakistan Taliban.

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing its western neighbour of allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan -- a claim the Taliban denies.

Around 290 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to an AFP tally.

Share this story
Kenya basks in 10,000m glory at African Senior Athletics event
Diana Wanza made it a 10,000m double gold for the country when she oozed class in the women’s 25-lap contest on Friday evening.
Stage set for World U20 Champs trials
The World Under-20 Championships are scheduled for August 2–9, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Ingo derby now a huge test for AFC Leopards' title credentials
Leopards to pile pressure on Gor with a win against Homeboyz.
Okong'o leads experienced boxers into finals
Africa Boxing Championships middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o stormed into the finals in the first leg of the National Boxing League in Nakuru yesterday.
Senators raise questions over Sh45.8 billion Talanta Sports City Stadium project again
Sports CS Mvurya and PS Mwangi are at pains to explain the sudden increase in construction costs.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS